There’s just something about an honest 1016 that’s pretty tough to beat.  One of the purest expressions of a tool watch and watches in general, the pure simplicity, balance, legibility, and restraint of an Explorer truly earns itself the title of an Icon.  This particular example is honest and charming through and through, reminding you of a lifetime of stories before your enjoyment.

Case:  The 36 x 44.5 x 11.8 mm thick stainless-steel case is pretty much the universally accepted goldilocks size and I was particularly drawn to how honest and full this case is. It has potentially seen a polish in its life, but retains even, full, thick, defined lugs, with crisp round lug holes, and a very nice bezel.  The reference and serial engravings are visible but do exhibit wear, as is common with C&I bracelets of the era.  The 2564XXX serial dates the watch to circa 1970, and the inside of the caseback is stamped “69”.

Dial:  The Mark 1 “Frog Foot” matte dial is very clean and consistent throughout with very attractive patinated tritium.  The triangle at 12 exhibits slight lume loss in the top left corner and the tritium hands have aged to a slightly lighter shade.  The UV signature is consistent and quickly drops on both.  The domed acrylic crystal is in very good condition, with a minor vertical scratch to the left of the handstack which is only visible at certain angles and not felt by the fingernail.

Movement:  The Rolex caliber 1570 is winding, setting, and running smoothly at approximately +2.6 s/d.

Bracelet:  The C&I Rivet bracelet is in honest condition with the clasp stamped “1-71” indicating January of 1971 production.  The bracelet will up to a 6.5” wrist.

Includes:  Watch and bracelet only.